Presenting my newest automotive purchase. With rising gas prices on my mind, I figured it was time to get something a little easier on the wallet for daily driving. BUT! It had to be unique as well, your typical grocery getter just wouldn't cut it. Besides, I've always wanted a Fiero!

Truthfully, I was originally looking for a four banger with a 5spd but I couldn't pass up this deal. This'll also hopefully keep my SS off the roads when conditions are less than desirable.

As you already can see, the clear coat waved bye-bye to this car a long time ago. This is a pretty common issue for the era, the fact that it was kept outside didn't help either. Luckily, the body will never rot since it's all plastic.

Today (3/14) was the maiden voyage. With the addition of a PA inspection and new front tires, she was off. (Is that two Corvettes I see?)

And on the way out:

I bought the car for $500 from a guy who literally lives 2 minutes from me. It has been sitting there for about a year, so things are a little "off". The car has 166k on it, but the motor was rebuilt and a 4spd overdrive automatic trans (440-T4/4T60) was swapped in to replace the 3spd THM125. For a 166k car, it's not in too bad shape, although it desperately needed new rear struts, and a fresh battery.

With the car out of the shop and running again, I finally got around to cleaning her up a bit. What a difference!

Besides putting on the new front tires, so far I have replaced a faulty trunk release button, and did the same with a broken trunk light; no rocket science yet. Really, I just wanted to get everything up and running to clear out the cobwebs (literally). I've also swapped the air filter out for a clean cheap-o paper element, as well as paint the rusting metal airbox and battery tray.

Cue the before's and after's:


At this point, you might be wondering to yourself, why "Fiasco"? It's simple really. My original idea was to buy this car as a driver, and not as another project. However, most 20 year old cars prefer to be projects instead, and as I dig into her more, I find more things that need fixing. Hence, the Fiasco!

As a side note, I really dig the red interior lights in Pontiacs.

This pic came out pretty trippy...

So what's next? Well....not as much. The stereo has been replaced as well as the speakers, I'm now waiting on a box design decision . New struts are in; still need to get at that trans filter. The headliner has been removed indefinitely, and I'm going to try and salvage the original paint a bit. I'm still going to rip off the valve covers and intake manifold to strip them down and paint them in the original red color that they should be. Exhaust still hangs funny, even with a new hanger. So much to do, so very little time.  The big project was the brakes, which seem to be working now thanks to a new master cylinder.

Let me know what you think, and be sure to check back often (but not too often).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got a little bit of work done today (3/16). Installed some Pioneer TS-A4670R 4x6's I had lying around in storage (hence the dust). The speaker grill was broken off before I got the car. For those who don't know, the grills AREN'T meant to come off...

I also decided on using a Kenwood KDC-422 headunit that was sitting on the shelf as well. It's not the latest or greatest unit out there, but the silver will go nicely with the console trim and it didn't cost me anything.

Now all I have to do is install it...

And installed!

These JL w0 10's will be going in eventually. I'm not sure how, or where, or even if I'll use both, but right now I have more pressing issues so this'll definitely be a back burner project. Got them on the cheap from a friend for $20.

The amp is a Rockford Fosgate Punch 250.1.  The JL's are only rated for 125watts RMS, and this amp'll do 250 @ 4 ohms. Picked it up from crutchfield at a good deal.  Now all I have to do is figure out how to get these things in the car without cramming my knees into the steering wheel.

Picked up some original Fiero GT wheels from a fellow enthusiast in a nearby town, thanks Dave!

Tires are crap though. I'll be swapping on the old ones from my Monte and finally put on the new ones I bought for the Monte a year ago from tire rack...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Made a little exhaust video. Sounds pretty good, I think.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2: Repairs

Check out my other ride, 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo!